Rio de Janeiro City Hall begins construction of flood control basin as part of the PAC Realengo program.

The mayor of Rio, Eduardo Cavaliere, announced this Thursday (April 23rd) an important stage in the construction works of the Piraquara River water reservoir in Realengo, in the West Zone. The interventions are part of the PAC Realengo, which aims to combat flooding in the neighborhood.

— The bidding process has already been completed and construction will begin soon. The results will not be immediate, as this is a complex project: a flood control basin larger than the reservoir at Praça da Bandeira, in the North Zone. The project in Realengo will be even larger and will include a leisure corridor for the population. We hope that residents can enjoy more tranquility, security, and well-being — stated Cavaliere.

The Realengo reservoir will have the capacity to accumulate approximately 20 million liters of water, equivalent to 20 one-thousand-liter water tanks. The facility will serve to store the waters of the Piraquara River, preventing overflows and flooding. Açu Street will also benefit from a drainage network and urban improvements. The construction of the reservoir is expected to take 24 months.

— Realengo is an area historically affected by floods, and this program was born from that planning. It involves R$ 123,5 million in partnership with the federal government, with several works underway, such as the Rio Catarino gallery and the drainage of Rua Bernardo de Vasconcelos and Avenida Santa Cruz. Now we are starting another stage with the flood control basin — explained the municipal Secretary of Infrastructure, Wanderson Santos.

Drainage works in Realengo are progressing in other parts of the neighborhood. Rua do Imperador has already received new drainage and has been paved. Other work fronts are continuing on Rua Bernardo de Vasconcelos, Avenida Santa Cruz, and Rua Barão do Triunfo, near Vila Vintém. In total, more than five kilometers of new storm drains are being built to reduce flooding.

The Catarino River is also benefiting from improvements. A second drainage gallery is under construction on Rua Barão do Triunfo to improve the flow of the river's water, reinforcing its drainage capacity. Sections of Rua Petrópolis, Rua Baião, and Travessa do Imperador, where the river will now run underground, have also already received new drainage and asphalt paving.

"This project totals more than R$ 120 million in the first phase alone, which is practically complete. Now we are moving on to this next phase, with the flood control basin and the park. The government has always paid close attention to these prevention issues. Through the PAC (Growth Acceleration Program), there are more than R$ 26 billion in drainage and slope containment for the entire country. These are important resources, and it is essential to see these projects progressing. The forecast is to deliver everything by 2027," stated Márcio Leão, National Secretary of Sanitation.

In total, the PAC will benefit approximately 205 residents of the neighborhood, according to data from the latest Census. The works are being carried out by the Rio-Águas Foundation, and the investments are funded by the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Cities, which coordinates the New PAC program, and Caixa Econômica Federal.

Category:

• Infrastructure
• News
• River-Waters

April 23th 2026

Appointments: chuvas floods PAC Realengo flood prevention